Alabama secretary of state warns of voter 're-registration' hoax making the rounds online

View full sizeMunicipal elections are Aug. 28 in communities across Alabama. The Alabama Secretary of State's Office said false information is being spread in email and on Facebook telling voters they must "re-register" if they have not voted since 2008.

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- A series of false emails and Facebook posts making the rounds incorrectly states Alabama voters must "re-register" to vote in upcoming elections if they have not cast ballots since 2008.

Secretary of State Beth Chapman issued a statement today discrediting the notices, which falsely warn that people who have not voted in an election since 2008 must re-register to vote 30 days before the election or forgo the right to vote in November.

“This is false information and voters should not be misled by this ‘re-registration’ hoax,” said Chapman.

Currently registered voters should know their names will still be on the voter lists regardless of whether they have voted in past elections or not.

“In fact,” Chapman stated, “the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 specifically prohibits covered states from removing individuals from the voter rolls solely for lack of voting for any period of time.”

Alabama’s voter registration cut off is 10 days prior to an election.

The registration deadline for upcoming municipal elections is Aug. 17.

A citizen wishing to register to vote may download a registration form at www.alabamavotes.gov and mail or hand-deliver it to their county Board of Registrars.

A citizen may also register to vote when applying for or renewing a driver’s license or identification card, at state and local Department of Human Resources offices, Department of Health WIC offices, Medicaid and Department of Rehabilitation offices. Mail-in voter registration forms can be found at public libraries, armed forces recruiting stations, local probate judges’ offices, universities, public schools and colleges.

A registered voter may need to update information by changing their name or address since the last election and that may be done through the local Board of Registrars in each county.

Individuals with questions concerning voter registration information can visit www.alabamavotes.gov and follow the links to check your personal voter registration status. Voters may also call the Elections Division of the secretary of state’s office at 1-800-274-VOTE.